KC casinos rake it in despite recession

KANSAS CITY, Missouri -- As reported by the Kansas City Star: "What recession? Kansas City gamblers flocked to metro area riverboats in January leaving a near-record pile of cash behind.

"Casino admissions jumped sharply in normally sluggish January, up 6.3 percent over the same month a year ago, while the market' four casinos raked in a combined $62.1 million for their fifth richest month ever.

"In neighboring states casino revenues were down dramatically. Illinois, also coping with a statewide smoking ban, was off 9.3 percent while Iowa casino revenues dipped 2.1 percent.

"The difference appears to be Missouri voters' repeal last fall of loss limits that artificially capped gamblers' buy in of table game chips and slot machine credits at $500 every two hours.

"The latest financial data from the Missouri Gaming Commission suggests after 15 years of legalized gambling, the high rollers finally may be coming out to play in Missouri..."

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